Lowering Springs

[Kobe Diesel]

I have a project on my hands and one of the items Im looking to do is to improve the suspension and lower the vehicle height. My brother owns an E34M5 and gave to me his hardly used Koni Sport adjustable struts. Judging from what I can see, the springs and struts on my car look original. I checked to see if the part #'s on these struts could work on a non-M5 E34 and they do.
My next quest is to find lowering springs.

What is the most recommended and safest lowering height?
Some specifics that might help:
1. Using 225/55/16 tires all around with 10mm spacers in front
2. live in NYC area, so roads are fairly crappy
3. I drive spirited, usually on average of 70-90mph.
4. Looking for a tight well handling ride.

For those of you using Konis, what springs have you been happiest with?

TIA

[dacoyote]

http://www.bmw4life.com/shocksSpringsGuide.htm

I would give that a look. It has a lot of FAQ's about springs and the like

[Anton CH.]

I like my Koni's with H&R. They are firm but not harsh. Well you can make them harsh but there really is not point. Bottomed out a few times but the ride height is still pretty high-some sport cars are lower than mine stock. I have no problems getting into driveways and driving over speedbumps straight on.

[Tiger]

I strongly suggest M-tech springs... especially in NYC. I got Eibach Pro-Kit and I am squeamish whenever I hit pothole...

[Steve Nmaeth]

I have Konis with Ebachs on my 94 525i and it lowered the car 1.5 inches. Set the Konis on the firmest setting and it made a world of difference in the ride.
No problems and I live in Ohio.

[Kobe Diesel]

The struts are adjustable, but how are they adjusted? Are there settings, if so, which one is which. I just have the struts and no literature on them

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

If you lower the car you should use shorter bump stops. The M5 calls for part number 31332226606. I have a pair of these on order from BMA and when they arrive I'll post their length. The normal bump stops for other E34s are 3.5" long.

[NY535iManual]

Anthony, do you have the part number for the shorter bump stops handy?

Sorry, should have specified that it is the shorter stops for non-M5 I was asking about, or does the same part work?

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

Anthony, do you have the part number for the shorter bump stops handy?

Sorry, should have specified that it is the shorter stops for non-M5 I was asking about, or does the same part work?

I gave the P/N for the M5 stop: 31332226606

Most others use 31331124449 which is 3.5" long. There seem to be a couple of updated parts for 535s though, see:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...28&hg=31&fg=10

As mentioned before, I will measure the M5 stops (and photograph) when I get them next week.